From fighting school closures, battling against phone masts or actively cleaning up their streets, we asked people across the UK to tell us their campaigning stories.

Here is a selection of their stories.

Liz Hughes is fighting to stop swimming pool closures

When Liz Hughes' local swimming pool in Hackney, London was closed, anger and a sense of injustice drove her to fight for it to be reopened.

Soon she realised that hers wasn't the only pool under threat, and joined other campaigners to form the London Pools Campaign.

Liz says: "One of the most worrying effects of pool closures is that so many children aren't learning to swim. It seems ridiculous with the Olympics coming, especially when some pools in the Olympic zone are threatened."

Sue Hopkinson wants the Highlands to remain pylon-free

Susan Hopkins never imagined she'd become a campaigner, but when she learned of plans for 50 metre high pylons in the Scottish highlands, she decided to take action.

She is keen to avoid being labelled a 'NIMBY' [Not In My Back Yard], saying: "A large part of the economy here depends on tourism from a landscape that is almost unique in not having any tall pylons running through it".

Portobello is one of London's best-known street markets

The Friends of Portobello are concerned about the influx of large chain stores into the famous London market street. They want to establish a business conservation area to preserve the area's unique character and protect independent traders.

Tim Burke, who runs the group, says: "Notting Hill has always had a strong political undercurrent; our campaign is just following the Portobello tradition of standing up for itself."

Plenty of spaces for all, John Brown believes

John Brown thinks that the planned introduction of residents' parking permits in his area is unnecessary and would be like handing a blank chequebook to the council.

He has got together with his neighbours to fight what he sees as a lack of democracy.

John says: "I started this campaign after hearing that the council were going to implement a controlled parking scheme and fast track it without a consultation."

Sylvia Wilson (R) is campaigning against house clearances

With a history of successful campaigning against house clearance in her Lancashire town, Sylvia Wilson found she was being contacted by people facing demolition and desperate for her help. She set up a website and a national group to help people fighting for their homes.

Sylvia says: "We're one voice shouting together, instead of lots of little ones in dark corners."